Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/227

Rh bring him back to his numerous friends, richly laden with the blessings of the Gospel of peace."

"Signed by the most respectable members of the Church." Gloucester, January 4th, 1788.

"Be it known universally, that the elders, on behalf of the Independent Church of Christ in Gloucester, do certify that the bearer, Mr. John Murray, is, and has been for many years past, our ordained minister, and we pray God to preserve him, and return him to us in safety."

Mr. Murray was received in Falmouth, with fraternal kindness. The Sunday succeeding his arrival, the pulpit of a gentleman, once in connection with Mr. Whitefield, was thrown open to him, where he preached forenoon and afternoon, and continued delivering evening lectures until February 14, when he resumed his journey by land, to London, proclaiming glad tidings from the pulpits, as he passed along, to which free access was granted him; at Truro, Cheswater, Tregony, Mevegessey, St. Austle, Looe, in the several churches at Plymouth, and Plymouth Dock, Exeter, Wellington, &c. &c. he delivered his God-honouring, man-restoring message. Several clergymen always attended his lectures, and one gentleman accompanied him even to Exeter. We select a few of the subjects, upon which he delighted to dwell. The lights ordained by the Creator for signs, Genesis iii. 15. The dress of the Jewish High Priest, the 1st Psalm, the 89th Psalm, Zechariah ix. 9, 1st John, 4, and many passages drawn from Isaiah, and the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. His manner of passing his time, and the devout propensities of his pious heart, may be gathered from a short extract from his journal, a journal replete with beauty and interest, to the christianized mind, and containing descriptions and remarks, worthy the writer:—

"I am delighted with walking through the fields; the gardens are so very beautiful, the fields so very green, the linnets and goldfinches so busy on the hedges, preparing their habitations. These songsters of the groves, which are vocal on every spray, are to me like old and pleasing acquaintance, not seen nor heard of for a great number of years, while the fascinating choristers, in whom I have taken so much delight, seem, by their cheering notes, to welcome me as I pass along their native fields and hedges. The primroses, and a variety of other sweet flowers, are already in full bloom; in short, everv thing wears a